NASA has named the four astronauts selected for a mission that will bring humans one step closer to returning to the moon.
Artemis III, scheduled for 2027, will test rendezvous and docking operations between the Orion spacecraft and commercial human landers in low-Earth orbit as part of preparations for future lunar exploration.
But the reveal of the crew quickly drew criticism on social media, where users pointed out that none of the astronauts selected for the historic mission are women.
NASA’s Randy Bresnik, Frank Rubio and Andrew Douglas will join European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Luca Parmitano on the crew set to fly around the moon next year.
The announcement, made in a press conference, sparked outrage on X, where many users deemed the lack of women was a ‘real shame.’
One user posted: ‘Not a single woman flying on Artemis III is an insane choice.’
‘What a huge blow to those who were inspired by Christina on Artemis II,’ another shared, referring to Christina Koch, who was the first woman to fly to the moon earlier this year when she and three men soared around the dark side of the lunar surface.
While the announcement has sparked frustration, it takes Americans one step closer to returning to the moon in 2028.
NASA astronauts Randy Bresnik (left), Frank Rubio (second from right) and Andrew Douglas (right) will join European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano on the crew set to fly around the moon next year, it was announced in a press conference on Tuesday
NASA administrator Jared Isaacman said: ‘To the Artemis III crew, we wish you Godspeed on the journey ahead.’
The Artemis III mission is expected to last about two weeks, roughly four days longer than the Artemis II mission around the moon earlier this year.
This is the Artemis program’s final testing mission, and if it’s successful, NASA then plans to land a crew on the moon with Artemis IV.
What was intended as a moment of celebration quickly sparked criticism, with many pointing out that no women were selected for the mission.
One X user shared: ‘I’m kinda mind-blown that there’s no woman on the Artemis III crew, bro. You, as NASA, saw so many people hyping up Christina going to the moon because it means a lot to people that a woman is doing things that are inspiring and cool.’
Another posted: ‘Artemis II was so big on point with Christina being a capable woman, showing others we can do whatever we put our minds to. Disappointed, NASA.’
Isaacman addressed the concerns following the announcement: ‘I don’t think anyone should be reading into this.’
He added that NASA ‘put forth the best astronauts to undertake and complete the mission’s objectives,’ but did not provide details on how the astronauts were chosen.
‘We are certainly humbled as a crew to be able to be your crew that executes this Artemis III mission in space,’ said Bresnik, Artemis III commander.
Douglas, mission specialist, added: ‘My brain… it is going a mile a minute right now. But my heart, it is so warm. It is so full.’
Many of the critics pointed to how Artemis II’s Christina Koch showed women are more than capable of going on such missions
The Artemis III mission is expected to last about two weeks, roughly four days longer than the Artemis II mission around the moon earlier this year
The crew brings a wealth of experience to the mission.
Bresnik has flown on both the Space Shuttle and International Space Station, while Rubio holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by an American after spending 371 consecutive days in orbit.
Parmitano, one of Europe’s most experienced astronauts, has completed two missions and multiple spacewalks.
Douglas, a former US Coast Guard officer selected by NASA in 2021, will be making his first trip to space.
NASA’s Artemis III mission will see the agency’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket launch the Orion spacecraft and its crew from Kennedy Space Center in Florida into low-Earth orbit.
Once there, Orion will perform a series of tests never attempted before, including rendezvous and docking maneuvers with experimental lunar landers being developed by Blue Origin and SpaceX.
The mission will unfold as a carefully choreographed sequence involving multiple launches of some of the world’s most powerful rockets. NASA will test how Orion interacts with the commercial landers, including communications, software, propulsion systems and docking interfaces.
Blue Origin’s lander pathfinder will launch first and remain in orbit awaiting the crew. Orion will then carry the astronauts into space, where they will rendezvous and dock with the vehicle for roughly two days of testing and technology demonstrations, including entering the lander itself.
After separating from Blue Origin’s spacecraft, Orion will remain in orbit while SpaceX launches its Starship pathfinder.
The two vehicles will then dock for about a day of additional evaluations before Orion begins its journey home.
The mission will conclude with the crew splashing down in the Pacific Ocean, where they will be recovered by teams from NASA and the US Navy.
